19. Vincent
“You want to buy a house on the Cliff Walk? Can you even afford this?” Wendy asked, edging toward exasperated. Her eyes swept the inside of the dilapidated mansion’s living room.
I leaned against the peeling ornate floral wallpaper, almost amused at Wendy’s befuddlement of this insane investment. But the payoff would be worth it tenfold. Wendy didn’t see it, but I did. My feet scraped against the splintered wood-worn floors. Certain spots faded more than others from the sun’s punishment over the decades. This immense Victorian estate hadn’t been touched in years, but I already spoke to the town. So long as I didn’t impair the structure's integrity and simply restored it to its previous glory, this was mine to take and do as I wanted with it. I walked past Wendy, the floor creaking below my tan work boots, something unusual for me, and stopped when I reached the floor-to-ceiling drafty windows. Everything in here needed to go. I couldn’t think of a better project.
What captured my attention when I first spotted this house was not only the low price but the bones of the structure. This place's view, overlooking the sparkling Atlantic Ocean when the sun shined like this morning or the looming doom when a storm approached, was breathtaking and worth every penny spent now and in the future.
“I said, can you even afford this?” Wendy repeated, her voice whipped up by disbelief and concern. She'd yet to move away from the grand entrance, her gaze darting around the room as though she were looking for something that might convince her that this was indeed a sane idea.
“Yes, Wendy,” I began patiently, my eyes never leaving the view held captive beyond the glass. “I can afford this.”
Wendy’s footsteps crunched from a distance, growing closer until she leaned against the window, staring at me, her dark, bottomless orbs grabbing my attention from the placid ocean. “Okay, so you buy this house, and then what? Do you want to live here or something?” A nervous laugh escaped her lips, thinking I wanted to live here with her, but I didn’t. That wasn’t the plan at all. “Because I’ll be honest right now, I love my house.”
I pressed my index and middle finger against her soft lips, silencing Wendy. “Baby, I don’t want to live here with you. I don’t want to live here, period.” I held her gaze. “What I want,” I paused, my hand shifting from her lips to the side of her face, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Is to transform this into the most luxurious bed and breakfast Newport has ever seen.”
Wendy did a double take and blinked hard. “You what?”
“And, I want you to be in charge of the food. Granted, I know you’re busy with the restaurant, but if you could squeeze this in, I think it would be great. And you would love it, no doubt.” I stepped away from Wendy, spreading my arms wide. “I mean, look at this place. I know you don’t see the potential, but I do. I know I keep asking you to trust me. I feel like it’s all I say to you lately.” I swallowed, my throat clicking. “But I really need you to trust me on this.” In two steps, we were toe-to-toe with each other, and taking her delicate hands in mine, I didn’t want to say I trapped Wendy, but I knew I had her. “Also, I want your name on the deed to this property next to mine.”
“What? But you’re the one investing all the money into this. Vincent, I can’t take on that responsibility.” Her hands squeezed mine as she fought her nerves.
“Wendy, I’d never ask a dime from you. But I am asking for your time because I know this place won’t be a success without you.”
“So, you want to go into business together?” She cocked an eyebrow.
“I want us to build something together. That’s all I’m asking, Wendy.” I brought her left hand to my lips, brushing her knuckles against my mouth.
“What if I let you down?” Another rogue strand of brown hair fell in front of Wendy’s eyes. I brushed it away quickly, remembering how I had her thick locks wrapped around my fist about two hours ago while she moaned my name, making my cock twitch at the thought.
“You could never let me down.”
“Vincent, this is crazy!” Wendy exhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her eyes were wide, filled with shock, excitement, and fear.
“I know it sounds insane,” I admitted, my thumb brushing over the back of her hand. “But then again, is this really the craziest thing I’ve done?”
“So we're just going to dive right into this? Into a partnership?” She seemed excited now; I could see the spark in her eyes that were no longer filled with disbelief but with something else...anticipation perhaps.
“I don't expect you to make a decision right away,” I assured her. “But I am going to make an offer today.”
“Oh, cool. No pressure, right?” Wendy laughed, flashing a perfect set of white teeth.
“Exactly.” I winked, guiding her with me across the expansive space. “It’s a gorgeous day; how about a walk?”
“It’s freezing out,” Wendy pointed out, pulling the zipper of her electric blue down jacket just below her chin.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm.”
As we stepped out into the crisp, frosty air, Wendy nestled closer to me, looping her arm through mine. On one side of us, acres of carefully tailored grounds topped with storybook mansions overlooked the vast ocean we walked against. The unyielding foam-tipped waves of the North Atlantic crashed against the rocky cliffs below. The salty sea breeze carried away the doubts and fears I might have once had, uprooting my life here for Wendy.
“I don’t think this view will ever get old,” I said, pulling Wendy against my body. I dipped my head to catch her eye, noticing how the daylight had accentuated the little specks of green in her brown eyes. “I get why you’d never want to leave Newport. How did you end up choosing this place?”
Wendy’s footsteps slowed, the gravel crunching below her feet. “After you left, I just couldn’t stay in New York. Or any place that reminded me of my life then.”
Her words stung, but I wanted to hear more.
“Newport...it was so different,” she continued, her voice dropping to just above a whisper. “It was peaceful and...safe. When I first arrived, I remember thinking it felt like a place where someone could heal. And then...I stayed. Because it was also a place where I could grow.”
“I see,” I murmured, pulling her closer, hoping to give her warmth. We walked silently for a while, the only sounds being our synchronized footsteps on the gravel and the ever-present roar of the ocean waves. “I’m happy you found this place because I love it. And thank you for sharing it with me.” I kissed the top of her head, breathing in her sweet scent, a mixture of vanilla and roses thanks to a body wash I now registered with Wendy. It was funny how much your love for someone planted their mark in everyday life. And Wendy was everything to me.
“I'm glad you love it here,” Wendy's voice was soft, like the barest whisper of wind against the seashore. She looked up at me then, her eyes a mirror of the sea that spread out to the horizon before us. Wendy opened her mouth, but the crescendoing chime of her ringtone broke any confession she was about to make. She fished the phone from her jacket’s pocket and snorted. “It’s Stephen.”
Internally, I eye rolled, but I only nodded and smiled as she answered his call.
Wendy inched a step away before swiping to answer the call. “Hey, Stephen. What’s up?”
I watched Wendy smile as she spoke to him about some catering orders. Luckily, every grin she produced never reached her eyes. I swore I knew this woman better than I knew myself, and while I could trust Wendy, something about this guy, Stephen, rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was the fact I knew he liked her. Of course, Wendy reassured me nothing happened, and she even told me how he rejected her, which was straight-up peculiar. He still left a strange suspicion swirling in the pit of my stomach. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was the threat he posed. Or maybe it was something else entirely.
As she laughed at some comment he made, I felt my jaw clench involuntarily. Suddenly, the crashing of waves seemed louder, and the gusts of wind felt colder. There was an empty wooden bench, and I sat on one side of it, waiting for Wendy to wrap up her call. Drumming my fingers against the back of the bench, I thought about what I wanted. What I really wanted, and the answer was clear. I wanted to ask Wendy to marry me. In my coat pocket rested a black velvet box, but it wasn’t for that.
I purchased a gold love bracelet for Wendy the first week I moved to Newport. It was a token of my unwavering commitment and love, a promise that I wouldn't abandon her again. I had been carrying it around for days, waiting for that perfect moment to give it to her based on some fictional idea of romance novels or black-and-white movies. But as I glanced at Wendy, her body slightly turned away from me as she continued her animated discussion with Stephen, it dawned on me.
There would never be a perfect moment.
Wendy wrapped up the call with a soft chuckle and hung up. Turning back toward me, she saw my unsteady gaze and raised an eyebrow. “Sorry about that…” she began, concern lining her voice.
I patted the seat next to me. “Sorry for what? Again, I’m not jealous, but he loves you.”
Wendy sat and half laughed. “Not exactly. He’s having an event at his store and needed a catering order. He wanted to make sure I had availability.”
“I see,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral even though my insides twisted. “You know, I’m so proud of you. The life you made for yourself. Your talent. Everything.” I took her hand, bringing her cold fingers to my lips. “I’m so lucky to sit here with you, Wendy,” I uttered, kissing her digits. “You have no idea how lucky I feel.”
Wendy smiled, but this time, the smile did reach her eyes, lighting them up. “Anything else you want to tell me?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too, Vincent,” she replied, her voice holding an undercurrent of vulnerability, gripping my soul.
She leaned into me, resting her head against my shoulder and making my heart race madly within my chest.
The beach was eerily quiet as we sat there, enjoying the moment. The waves seemed to hold their breath, waiting for me to make the next move. “There’s something else,” I added, hesitantly pulling away from her just enough to reach my hand into my coat pocket.
Wendy watched me with curiosity, her gaze holding a hint of wide-eyed wonder. “I do have something else to give you,” I said and watched the anticipation lighting up in her eyes. Taking the black velvet box out of my pocket, I opened it and revealed the gold bracelet inside. A gasp slipped from her lips as she looked at the bracelet and then back at me.
“What's this for?” She clutched her chest.
“It's a promise.” My voice was firm, but my hands shook as I picked up the bracelet from the box. “It signifies that I am here for you no matter what happens.”
I held the gold band up to the sunlight. Its surface shimmered, and a tiny diamond embedded in it sparkled. She reached out hesitantly and traced the engraving delicately etched on its surface with her index finger. Her breath hitched when she recognized the words it bore'Forever Yours.'
“Vincent.” Wendy gasped. “This is... beautiful.”
“Do you wanna try it on?”
Wendy nodded, lost for words. I unclasped the bracelet and gently wrapped it around her wrist before fastening it carefully. It fit perfectly, the golden band shimmering against her pale skin.
“It’s beautiful. And I need a tan.” Wendy laughed, and I joined. The comfort of this moment made me want to keep it forever. She peered down at the jewelry again, tears welling in Wendy's eyes as her fingers lightly traced over the engraving again. “Forever yours...” she murmured.
“I mean every word.” I cupped her face, my thumb brushing away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. I looked into her eyes, saw the love and warmth staring back at me, and my heart swelled with love and a tiny bit of fear. I leaned in closer, whispering into her ear, “And the next thing I give to you will go on your hand.”
Wendy’s breath hitched in her throat, her eyes widening as realization dawned upon her. “Do you really mean it this time?” Her voice was barely audible over the howling winds.
“I mean every word.”
She glanced at me through misty eyes before throwing her arms around me, pulling me close to her. “Yes...I'd love that,” Wendy added with a shaky laugh.
“Good.” I crashed my lips against hers, making sure she knew this wasn’t just an empty line I threw out there. I meant every word. I was going to ask Wendy to marry me soon. The ring already sat in a safe at a bank in Boston. I bought it within the first week I relocated here from Miami.
The kiss deepened, our breaths mingling in the chilly air. If only we could freeze time in this moment of perfect tranquility when it was just us, but nothing ever lasted, unfortunately. Wendy broke the kiss, gasping for air while clutching onto the collar of my jacket.
“Ugh, I have to get ready for work.” She pressed her forehead against mine.
“I know.” I kissed her defined cheekbone. “There’s just one more thing, though.”
“Okay…hit me with it.”
“Oh, if you want to hit it, you might be late for work.” I winked, spotting the blush spreading across Wendy’s cheeks.
“You might be right on that one.” Wendy giggled. “Seriously, what is it?”
“My mom is coming to town in two weeks. And she wants to have lunch. Lobster rolls specifically.”
“Your mom? The formidable Marjorie Press?”
I nodded, grinning sheepishly at her reaction. “That would be the one, yes.”
“So, I’m guessing you told her we’re back together?” Wendy toyed with her new bracelet, spinning it in endless circles.
“I sure did. And she’s never sounded happier. Come on, are we really surprised? You know she’s always liked you more than her own son.” I gestured up and down my body. I wasn’t lying, either. Half the time, I swore my mom always wished I was a girl, but instead, she settled for a bratty son.
“Well then,” she began hesitantly, “I guess I should start preparing for Marjorie then.”
“You’re going to be just fine. After all, she’s already on your side.”